I'm making good on my threat in my new member introduction to seek advice from the forum in specifying a build based around a RCR 40 chassis. The proportions most pleasing to my eye are those of the Shell Oil cars best illustrated by Racing Icon's restoration of P1036 as shown on their web site. Up 'til now I didn't know I had an affinity for big butts. With big butts often comes large thighs and 1036 has 12" wide rubber on 15" rims on the rear. I like that look.
Minimal availability of rubber for 15" rims has been thoroughly discussed here as has use of racing tires for street use and my intent is not to address those issues once again. I have a devil on one shoulder and an angel of common sense on the other in this matter. The devil says to do whatever it takes to keep to the proportions of the original which would entail the use of racing tires, specifically Dunlop CR82's to go on 12" wide rims. Fran at RCR was playing the devil's advocate last we talked. He seems enthusiastic to do something a little different than the last guy did. The angel is saying go with the +2 configuration of the rear suspension and mount 10" wide rims and accept somewhat thinner thighs. There are many other reason to justify the narrower rims on roads that may see the occational patch of water, etc. but the devil is powerful. The angel could use some help.
A long time ago there was brief mention in a post about a large differential between front and rear wheel width perhaps building in a push to the handling. As the fronts would be 8 inches wide we are talking of a differential greater than 3 and as much as 4 inches. I'm asking those of you out there with experience in suspension configuration to state your opinions on the subject and give recommendations, leaving aside the race-rubber-on-civilian-roads issue that has already been discussed.
Additionally, if in the process of discussing the issue, you would care to recommend a book or two on the subject of suspension tuning, that would also be appreciated. While suspension design I'd best leave to the experts, tuning of such is something I should get smarter about. I've already taken the advise of the forum in buying Mr. Monroe's book 'Small-Block Ford Racing Engines' to get smarter specifying the engine build; I'm a motivated student.
Thanks, Rich McD
Minimal availability of rubber for 15" rims has been thoroughly discussed here as has use of racing tires for street use and my intent is not to address those issues once again. I have a devil on one shoulder and an angel of common sense on the other in this matter. The devil says to do whatever it takes to keep to the proportions of the original which would entail the use of racing tires, specifically Dunlop CR82's to go on 12" wide rims. Fran at RCR was playing the devil's advocate last we talked. He seems enthusiastic to do something a little different than the last guy did. The angel is saying go with the +2 configuration of the rear suspension and mount 10" wide rims and accept somewhat thinner thighs. There are many other reason to justify the narrower rims on roads that may see the occational patch of water, etc. but the devil is powerful. The angel could use some help.
A long time ago there was brief mention in a post about a large differential between front and rear wheel width perhaps building in a push to the handling. As the fronts would be 8 inches wide we are talking of a differential greater than 3 and as much as 4 inches. I'm asking those of you out there with experience in suspension configuration to state your opinions on the subject and give recommendations, leaving aside the race-rubber-on-civilian-roads issue that has already been discussed.
Additionally, if in the process of discussing the issue, you would care to recommend a book or two on the subject of suspension tuning, that would also be appreciated. While suspension design I'd best leave to the experts, tuning of such is something I should get smarter about. I've already taken the advise of the forum in buying Mr. Monroe's book 'Small-Block Ford Racing Engines' to get smarter specifying the engine build; I'm a motivated student.
Thanks, Rich McD